per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: per unit of population : by or for each person

the highest income per capita of any state in the union

2

: equally to each individual

Synonyms of per capita

• a shot
• each
• per
• a pop

Examples of per capita in a Sentence

we expect the students to receive less funding per capita this year due to a marked increase in the school-age population

Recent Examples on the Web

Dearborn has the largest Muslim population per capita in the United States, and Hammoud, elected in 2021, was the city's first Arab American and first Muslim mayor. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Researchers found associations between slowing GDP per capita and rising perfectionistic strivings, for example. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

From 2016-2018, Oklahoma ranked 6th in the nation for intimate partner violence per capita, according to data from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. — Alexia Aston, Oklahoman, 6 Sep. 2026

Paychecks boomed, too, with per capita income jumping to $91,000 from $17,000. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta (ˌ)pər-ˈkap-ət-ə 

: by or for each person

per capita income

Legal Definition

per capita

adverb or adjective

per cap·​i·​ta pər-ˈka-pə-tə 

1

: equally to each individual

all property to pass to the descendants per capita

—used of a method of distributing an especially intestate estate compare per stirpes

Note: Per capita distribution of an estate provides each descendant with an equal share of the estate's assets regardless of the degree of his or her kinship. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., all receive equal shares.

2

: per unit of population : by or for each individual

a high per capita tax burden

Etymology

Medieval Latin, by heads